Investment Q&A

Q: Hello, I've had CCM440 (IA CLARINGTON TACTICAL INCOME FUND T6) for 7+ years which has an MER of 2.48%. It also appears to be lagging the average return for this class of funds. I'd like to replace it with a good quality ETF with decent dividend returns. Can you suggest several?
Thanks Graham

Q: Hope you had a good holiday. My wife wants to inquire about etf YXM. We would appreciate your comments. TIA,
Gary

Q: Peter and Team,

With tapering beginning and possibly progressing, what are your thoughts on buying an ETF that is the reverse of the Thirty Year Bond in the US... something like HTD? It seems like interest rates are basically as low as they can go and will rise - its just a question of when.

Thoughts?

Q: Hi, Can I get your opinion on XFN for 2014.
Best of the season to you and your staff.
Thanks
Carl

Q: I am getting comfortable enough with the gold sector to actually purchase a few more stocks. On the more speculative side, I want to take a half position in Mandalay and on the more reasoned side, I am having a personal tug-of-war between XGD (I shares ETF) and GDX (Market Vectors ETF in the US). The purchase will be hidden within an RRSP portfolio, wherein I am ready to sit it out for a year or two, and I wish to begin with 2.5% position.

My question is in regard to the huge weighting that Barrick comprises in these 2 ETFs. Within XGD, Barrick has a 17.9% weight while GDX carries a 10.57% weight. Would this weighting have an abnormally negative impact on the ETFs if Barrick starts to circle the drain one last time?

I am less concerned about the currency differential than I am about the Barrick weighting: thinking GDX has a healthier percentage of Barrick than does XGD. Your thoughts would be sincerely appreciated.

I would also like to extend a Merry Christmas to the entire staff at 5i! Thank you for your helpful comments and insightful analyses on various topics, from individual stocks, to resources and strategies. Since joining 5i, and while following Peter on BNN, I have seen my portfolio strengthen enormously and is now consistently delivering my desired returns. I also feel more protected from the vagaries of the market, having chosen the 5i approach. All these letters of praise coming in to you must feel like a revivalist meeting of born-again-stock-pickers, but it is only because you really have made a huge difference in how people approach their portfolios. At this time of year, it only seems fitting that I add my voice to the choir, and say Thank You!

Q: I realize 5i's primary focus is Canadian stocks but, are you able to recommend a US Small Cap ETF? Thanks so much for all your help this year.

Q: Peter, I have added 17% cash to my non registered portfolio that holds 25 stocks recommended by 5i. I have let some stocks run but with the cash injection I no longer have any stock above 7%. I do not have any US exposure and was looking at adding SPY, VIG, IWO and QQQ. However, I would prefer hedging and am considering replacing SPY with HXS; I am aware the fees are higher but I do not have to deal with US withholding taxes. Are you aware of any similar ETF's that would offer hedging for VIG, IWO, QQQ? The reason why I want to hedge is that no one can rightfully predict what the exchange rate will be and all of my current and future expenses are in CDN dollars. I have had a fun and very profitable first year with 5i, many thanks! Stephen

Q: Could I please have your view of the ETF Powershares Global Private Equity,PSP, as a way of tapping into private equity companies? Do you see the 13% dividend as sustainable?

Q: I hold the iShares CWO Emerging Markets ETF. Its P/E is 8.1, the Price to Book is 1.00, its yield is 1.36%, and the MER is .69%. The performance of this BRIC ETF over the last several years has been flat.

Do you have any other recommendations for an emerging markets play? Should I be concerned that the daily volume averages 3.7K?

Thanks.

Q: Hi Peter and Team: First, thanks for the truly great service. My question: It seems the UK economy might be on the mend, so I have been looking at British ETFs. What do you think of EWU and EWUS for the next year or two? The latter had a particularly good 2013. Merry Xmas.

Q: Greetings to all:
Could you kindly provide me with the number of shares in the float, The percentage of shorts, and the days to cover on the following funds.
I shares I boxx high yield corporate bond fund --- HYG- n
I shares us high yield bond index fund hedged---XHY
Horizons active high yield bond etf---HYI
BMO high yield corp hedged index etf---ZHY
SPDR barclays capital high yield bond etf---JNK
SPDR barclays capital short term high yield bond--SJNK
TD High yield fund
20 year treasury fund--TLT

Also, several guests on BNN insist that Retrocommid-market reit RMM.UN-T has a payout ratio of 120%. Teal Linde insists that it is only 98%. What can you find.
THANKS
BEN

Q: Hi Peter & Team,

A commentator on BNN predicted a 90 cent loonie compared to the US dollar in the not-too-distant future. In general, and if there's a choice, would an unhedged ETF (e.g. CLU.C) be preferable to a hedged version of the same or similar ETF?

Thanks in advance and Season's Greetings to everyone at 5i and also to the members who ask such insightful questions.

Q: Hi Team,

No one has ever asked a question about YZM, so let me be the first. What is your opinion ofFirst Asset Mornings tar's ETF that follows the U.S. Momentum Index? Thanks!

Q: What are your current thoughts on HFR ? I have cash sitting in a bank savings account earning virtually nothing. I am thinking that HFR is a safe bet to put some of that cash and earn a little more interest than I am getting at the Bank and still be relatively safe.

Q: Seasons greetings 5i!

I currently own VIG,FEZ,QQQ,IWO and BRK.B in my US portfolio each about 6%.
Going into 2014 and with the expectation of tappering and rise in interest rates. Are these ETF's ok to hold for the next year or two and is it ok to bump up my holdings to 10% in each?
I own SLW for insurance as well.

Looking forward to your reply.
Thanks.

Q: My wife wants to increase her US position. Is PRF better than VYM or VIG? I think VYM is better but I would like to know your opinion.

Regards

Q: Good Day; We are starting up an RESP investment account for a new born and would like a suggestion on an ETF to start the first investment with. The initial cash investment will be fairly modest, probably around $2000 - $2500 for the first year.

Thanks for your insight.

Q: Assumption: The U.S. equity market continues to remain healthy & positive overall for the next 12 months. The question is what, in your opinion, is the best way to buy the US equity market from a Cdn.registered acct. relative to the current surcharge(incl.fees & exchange)of nearly 7.5%.
Thanks for a great year.

Q: Hi 5i team,Happy holidays: I need to add 5% for a total of 40% fixed income portfolio (retired). Choice between CPD & XHY. Am I wrong to believe that CPD will do badly whereas XHY will do okay in a rising interest world? The balance is CBO & GIC...ladder 1/2/3yrs

Q: I have traded XIV several times over the last 2 years and done quite well. While it has some violent swings the trend over the last 2 years in up. What is the risk to holding this for several years?